₦airaland Forum

I totally agree with almost everything you said. Mikel Agu has been unconvincing so far to say the least, but Rohr seems to like him. The 3 players I think Rohr has a soft spot for are: Ndidi, Awazien, and Agu. Ndidi has justified the confidence. Awazien is gradually getting there, but Agu still has a long way to go.

As regard to John Ogu, he's a fighter and a worker. Do we need a brawler in the team? We probably do; however, I have major concerns about some of his shortcomings. And I have expressed similar concerns about Ekong as well ... his poor passes and cheap giveaways from the back may spell doom for us at the wrong time. There are many upsides to Ekong's game but I hope that Rohr would advice him not to attempt passing out from the back, he should just booth the balls away. He almost gave me a heart attack in the first half against Argentina with one of his trademark poor passes


O pari

Kog45:
O pari i get your point,you mean the hype on Ogu too much,well i still rate Onazi ahead of him but Agu No.

On Agu comeo appearance,i w not called Zambia match a comeo cos he came early in the first half but not convincing enough,remember Ebuhei and Idowu that guys are praising,just had 45 minutes appearance and they look solid.

There is no much time any opportunity must be utilised or else you lose your place.

For instance look at Nwakaeme,whether he like it or not his place in the squad is not guaranteed again like before,he may be called or not.

I can assure you that Rohr w call Kayode and Oyekwuru before Nwakaeme cos he had his chance by starting against Algeria and Rohr even pushed Iheanacho to the wing to see what he can do

What a great opportunity but he failed to grab it, a good performance against Algeria would have seen him starting Argentina match.

Very well said! I was actually most impressed with Ndidi. Watching him in that game reminded me of the player I know at Leicester City. Awazien as well had a good game. He started off slowly but grew into the game. Anyway, I actually see a situation where both Etebo, Agu, Onazi, Ogu, and Joel Obi all make it Russia ... especially if Rohr intends to stick with the 3-5-2 formation or 4-5-1.


O pari

Mujtahida:
Yes we must not hype any player. Our analysis should be measured although the excitement is understandable.

Not much emphasis about Mikel, about Ndidi tireless running, tackles, interceptions, ball winning. In fact do you know that Awaziem's long range passes were responsible for our second and third goals? He swept one long one to Iheanacho, Iheanacho gave it to Ndidi, Ndidi lost it momentarily but recovered it quickly and gave the pass to Nacho which Nacho threaded to Iwobi. Then for the third goal again Awaziem picked out Mikel with a pin point long range pass. Mikel gave Iwobi, Iwobi to Nacho and then Idowu.

Well, it really doesn't matter to me which one of them makes the World Cup team. If Ogu makes it, I would be happy because he deserved to have been in the Brazil World Cup team ahead of all the journey men that Keshi (RIP) packed into that team.


O pari

Mujtahida:
I am one of those who believes in Agu. I am only comparing his showing with that of Ogu. Ogu performed better. Don't say cameo ooo. As it stands every player should psyche himself to give his all even if he's given a cameo. Ebuehi had 45 minutes, he ran and ran cos that opportunity might not come again. Even if he misses out to Russia, nobody will say it was because he was poor in performance.

Name: Ahmed Matunma wojuekun
State: Osun
Ethnicity: Afonja Original

The $1m Question: Why always them, eh? Really. Why

NCAN Members over to you!



O pari

Noooo. I wasn't dismissing Ogu's performance against Argentina. He puts in a good shift, but I just want guys to slow down with the hype. Some folks are already acting as if Ogu is the best thing since slice bread ... he has now taken over the DM role and displaced Onazi, just with one good outing! Helloooo?



O pari

Mujtahida:
I'm not writing Etebo off. I believe he would be given another opportunity but you guys are putting Ogu down. That's not fair on his two games. Let's say well done when a player has done well.

Rohr seems determined to go with our best so I believe he would give everyone a fair opportunity to prove himself but the one who doesn't take his chances and keeps crying excuses will pay for it.

Personally, I will rate Ogu slightly ahead of Agu. But having said that, it isn't fair to rate Agu based solely on two cameo appearances. He didn't start in any of those games. On each of those occasions, he was specifically subbed in to do a job. And only Rohr can say whether he did the job well or not.


O pari

Mujtahida:
You forget that just like Ogu, Mikel Agu had two run of games. He wasn't convincing. I am one of those who believe in him. But Ogu impressed at least more than Agu. If Agu were fit I don't think Rohr would have played him.

Well, the point I was trying to make is that no one has displaced anyone yet until, at least, the next game. Hopefully, all of them would be in camp at that time then we'd see who gets the nod.


O pari

Kog45:
Oh Argentina match a friendly meaning Echiejele still remain our best LB cos am seeing guys already rating Ebuhei, Idowu ahead of others

I remember James Obiorah used friendly match to displace Wilson Oruma from 2002 WC team

Mike Emenalo used ordinary friendly match to displace Nduka Ugbade from US 94 team

Enyeama used friendly match to pushed Ejide to number 3 prior to 2002 WC.

Dosu Joseph pushed Emma Babayaro to number 2 through friendly match

My man any match either friendly or official match is enough to determine a player.

As it now i w rather pick Ogu than Agu cos have watched both and i know what they can do.

Did you watch him versus Algeria in Uyo? He was fantastic. He was arguably our best player on that day (along with Leon Balogun).

Like I said, he has only had two bad games:
Versus South Africa in Uyo. My excuse: He was trying to do too much. Both Mikel and VicMo did not play so Etebo was overloaded in the midfield....trying to be the playmaker. In addition, the whole team had a stinker in that match, so we shouldn't single him out.

Versus Algeria in Constantine. My excuse: The pitch was too bad for anybody to play in. And the poor pitch impacted Etebo's ball playing style more than other people. And Iwobi and Kelechi had bad games too .... that's because the 3 players play similar style.



O pari

Mujtahida:
Etebo plays everywhere but how I wish he can be superb in one or two positions cos right now I don't even know how good he is. He is gradually becoming memory.

No question, I give him A for effort. He's a very hardworking player. I give him that. However, his game still needs some refinement if he wants to make hay on the biggest stage. Or else, his late and hard tackles would be red cards waiting to happen when we get to Russia. I am already concerned about Onazi, I don't wanna worry about another CM in the team.


O pari

Mujtahida:
That's how una talk against Argentina ooo. Now it's Brazil, Germany, Spain. I go just dey watch. One thing I've noticed about Ogu he might be slow, poor in tackling, interceptions, passes as you guys say but he's very, very determined to go to Russia. Only injury will stop him. If Rohr gives him more opportunities he would work harder. He wants to so much go to Russia. Did you read how he said he had to pay for one specialists like that in a race to be fit for the match against Algeria? He knew that was his opportunity. He's grabbed it.

How exactly did we reach the conclusions that Mikel Agu and Etebo are now behind John Ogu in the pecking order?

First of all, Mikel Agu was injured and not in camp for the two games. Hence, he wasn't even in contention. Who says that Rohr wouldn't have selected him ahead of Ogu in those two games if he were available for selection?

Secondly, the Argentina game was a friendly. Rohr was just using it to assess some players, especially the players who haven't had many chances to play (this includes Ogu but excludes Etebo who had started many more games under Rohr than Ogu). Bottom line, that Ogu started and finished those two games didn't really tell us anything about the pecking order yet. As far as I know, Rohr is still tinkering and trying to find his best team.


O pari

Kog45:
It depends on his form and you cannot ascertain cos prior to Algeria match Ogu was behind Etebo and Agu but now they are behind him.

Etebo and Agu just need to up their game cos any moment Rohr played Nwakili and he was able to put up a convincing performance, bye bye to Etebo and Agu.

You think you can cover up your stark ignorance and incoherent ranting with an empty bluster? You should be ashamed of yourself because I have starkly exposed your idiocy in the world wide web. You epitomize the dangers of education without knowledge. How can you correct anybody when it is clear your shallowness and incapacity for simple logic would embarrass a five year old?

Your idiotic lack of awareness contributes to what is a severe indictment of the education system in Nigeria. Sadly for you, you lack the humility to admit your cluelessness and seek help. But I am almost certain that you won't be quick enough to jump into the grammar correction bandwagon next time. Anyway, let me break it down to elementary school levels for you (to your level): Next time, do your own research before attempting to correct anybody. Got it


O pari

richard870:
call me out Lmao...pls go ahead. I feel your pain bro "Mr slowpoke" na wetin u dey shout since I tried correcting ur mumbo-jumbo.

Kindly do us both a favour, quit this irrational conversation cuz I never intended 2 hurt ur feelings or that of anyone else, only corrected a widely used wrong grammatical expression with no pun intended

#Peace!

Wow! The world must be coming to an end because even Komekn has started making sense. *J/K*


Seriously, I am yet to understand what the hype about John Ogu is all about. I totally agree with you that he has only had one good game. And even on his good day, Ogu still have heavy touches, limited passing ability, hard tackling, poor decision making etc. A well coached team like Brazil, Germany, Spain etc would eat him for lunch.


O pari

komekn:
Ogu for me has had one good game and that's about it. He is way too slow and his defensive recovery very limited.

I would rather have Onazi who covers a lot of ground and plugs gaps in the defence as well as creates openings in the attack. And has far better recovery than Ogu.

Playing against a team with pace Ogu can easily become a liability. We have one slow very competent player in Mikel we do not needs another.


Mikel is not known for pace. To be honest as good as Mikel is he sometimes slows the team down. His lack if pace is compensated by his ball distribution.

In that case, then John Ogu would have to be dropped. First, Etebo is a better all round player. Secondly, unlike Ogu, Etebo is a utility player who can player several positions (AM, CM, DM, SS).


O pari

Mujtahida:
Etebo's chances of even going are slim if Joel Obi gets into the mix. We would most likely go with five central midfielders Mikel, Onazi, Ndidi, Ogu, (Obi/Etebo /Agu are in the probables basket) John Ogu with his fine performances over the two games has warmed himself into the team and possibly the first eleven.

It tells me that Solanke is British footballer and Iheanacho is a Nigerian. Short and simple!

Don't forget that both Liverpool and Chelsea also fought tooth and nail to have Oxlade Chamberlaine but Alex Iwobi, who had kept him on the Arsenal bench for most parts of last season, was not considered by the bigger clubs in England.

What does that tells you


O pari

forgiveness:
Iheanacho and Solanke were available during the transfer market but Iheanacho was not considered by the bigger clubs in England.

However, Chelsea and Liverpool fought nail and tooth to have Solanke.

What does that tells you?

Now, Iheanacho is a bench warmer in almost a relegated threatened team. A team that most of the first team can't smell the bench of Liverpool neither the U23.

[color=#000000]What does that tells you[/color]?

Cool. You could also have saved it in word and post it as attachment on their twitter handles, but I think you've done enough.

Good job, boss!



O pari

Icon4s:
Done!

Posted on both Toyin Ibitoye and the NFF twitter handles.

The text box could not accommodate the whole message so I only posted the subject and referred them to the link to view the full message.

I also put a link to this great thread in the open letter so Toyin and the NFF can have a better view of more of our discussions here.

Well done all.

Etebo is definitely going to Russia but whether he'll get a game is a different story, especially if Joel Obi gets called into the mix.
Etebo had his chances but he didn't exactly grab it with both hands. Two stellar performances and 2 poor performances under Rohr. I think the bad pitch in Constantine really impacted his game badly.

Verdict: the jury is still out on him, as far as Rohr is concerned.


O pari

safarigirl:
I've been offline most of the time for the last two days, the power situation here is woeful, I could barely read through the over twenty pages I met here.

Icon4s, sorry I haven't been able to respond to your list, I haven't properly read it and I may not get the chance to because of my battery situation, however I trust your judgment and that of those of us on this thread. I would probably not have advised opening the discussion to all NLers though. They have proven themselves incapable of taking the national team issues seriously most of the time.


I was thinking up a final World Cup list and a thought came to me, what do you guys think of Etebo's chances of making it to the world cup considering current situations?

Thank you, my dear!

You don tok am finish. To add anything else would be most uncivilized.



O pari

safarigirl:
i actually beg to differ.

I hate it when European and South American sides blame physicality after losing to African opposition. It connotes that the black man can only win the whites when they exploit the basest of human traits. Why can't they ever acknowledge the fact that they were outplayed? They were outclassed, they didn't get the tactics? Why always blame physicality?

I watched the second half at least three times and while they held the ball more than we did, we certainly had the better game plan and that is how we won.

They were outplayed and outclassed, no need to add physicality to it....abi is it Ebuehi that is lepa like that that was physical? With what mbok?

Next time don't try to correct someone smarter than you, slowpoke. Or else, I will call you out again.
Illiterate idiot


O pari

richard870:
I'm not surprised. And pls let it stop here Mr "am" #olodo oshi

Tinubu: Don't forget that I am your godfather! I made you what you are today.

Osinbajo: Yes sir! I will always be your servant .... always at your service, sir!




O pari o

Don't mind them. To hear the wailing on this forum, you'd think that we've just lost a Leo Messi or Gabriel Jesus

I don't see either Ebuehi or Idowu dumping Nigeria at this time, but I ain't gonna lose sleep one bit if that happens.


O pari

Goke7:
imagine folks are already giving rohr the sticks for not playing ebuehi earlier, why are we so emotional like this, Nigerians are just too difficult to please abeg and what if ebuehi decides to dump Nigeria after all, he will just give shehu and another RB very easy chance to russia, na so the boy stupid reach? dumping a country that did not qualify for the world cup for a country that did not. once again ayam not understand o

LOL. I didn't even complete high school in Nigeria talk less of being a Nigerian graduate.

#slowpoke


O pari

richard870:
Lolzz,pls 'am' and 'i'm' arent the same, okay?

That's why Nigerian graduates are usually laughed at in other climes. Bad diction coupled with cocky attitudes

Some people have too much time in their hands to argue over nothing.


O pari

korlahwarleh:
Any player that still choose to play for another country after these commitments shown towards them by Nigeria and vice versa is not serious. Such a player doesn't deserve US. It's a case of "good riddance to bad rubbish". So, stop all these unnecessary panics. Don't turn international football to summer transfer window.

My brother, help me ask them o. In addition, Ebuehi is clearly invested in Nigeria program now and I don't see him dumping Nigeria for Holland. We're just arguing over a non-issue. A faceless blogger (not their coach or their FA) claimed that Holland may still cap Ebuehi and some folks want to twist themselves into a thistle. Holland has so many quality players, I don't see them acting like England.


O pari

Goke7:
What competitive games does Russia and Holland have before the world cup to snatch those boys from us? ayam not understand o

Smart girl ... making a difference in the lives of the children; while Omotola is out there posting photos of a back view


O pari

Am a film maker is a correct statement as well. Naija peeps like to correct other people even when a correction isn't warranted

Granted that the most formal way of writing it should be I'm a film maker (using the shortened form of I am), but the word "am" is becoming acceptable in formal and academic settings these days. So save the correction!


O pari

richard870:
@Op, Kindly help tell him that ''am a film maker'' is absolutely wrong, its 'I'm a film maker'.

Thank you

This is good news. Moses Odubajo is a solid RB. Unfortunately, he won't be match fit for the World Cup but he might get his chance in the AFCON.


O pari

Joebie:
INJURY UPDATE

---

Nigeria's First-Choice RB Target Announces He'll Return To Action Before World Cup
Published: November 15, 2017

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/28408Odubajo.jpg
Photo Credit : hullcitytigers.com

Nigeria's First-Choice RB Target Announces He'll Return To Action Before World Cup EFL Championship side Hull City have provided an injury update on former Nigeria U23 invitee Moses Odubajo.

The ex-England U20 international has not played for the Tigers since he got injured in a pre-season friendly against Grimsby Town in July 2016.

''Long-term injury victim Moses Odubajo is hoping for a return to action in the Spring following a positive meeting with his consultant this week,'' Hull City wrote on their official website.

''That represents light at the end of the tunnel for the 24-year-old right back, although any predicted return date remains tentative at this stage after such a lengthy lay-off.''

Odubajo had been approached by the Nigeria Football Federation supremo Amaju Pinnick to represent the Super Eagles as the national team coaches looked to solve the problematic right back spot.

As a result of his lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Nigerian Federation made moves for Ola Aina, Tyronne Ebuehi and Brian Idowu.

Igho Kingsley

--ANS

No need to be angry. Ebuehi isn't leaving this Super Eagles team unless we push him out. He's now part and parcel of the team.



O pari

forgiveness:
You see why I am angry with Rohr, huh? With just a dead rubber game the man refused to cap Ebuehi once and for all.

Wow. This is very maturely and intelligently written. The only thing I could've loved to include is a recommendation for coach Gernot Rohr and his technical crew to be given a freehand to select the team. But then that goes without saying, so it's OK.

Thank you, Baba Icon4s!!

I concur!


O pari

Icon4s:
Further modified:

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NFF AND THE SUPER EAGLES COACHING CREW FROM MEMBERS OF THE NAIRALAND SUPER EAGLES FANS BASE.


We are ardent followers and supporters of the Super Eagles. Most of us may not make the trip to Russia, we cannot be with the coaching crew, we are not part of the NFF, neither can we kick the balls with the players. However, we can only make our little contribution by way of advice to the NFF and the Coaching crew.We believe firmly in the ability of this team to perform creditably well because we have both the footballing and administrative personnel to make it happen.

We are an assembly of fans who have seen the game for several decades and have followed it with burning passion all through the years. We have extensively X-rayed the reasons for the disappointing ends to our past World Cup outings and hence provided some tips for both the NFF and the coaching crew to critically look into:

1. The need for the NFF to sort out issues of bonuses and players’ welfare on time: We sincerely appreciate the current effort being put in place by the NFF to ensure that bonuses and allowances issues are sorted out ahead of the World Cup. This is a commendable step towards avoiding players boycotting of training session as witnessed in the last World Cup.
2. Majority of the players who qualified the team should be kept. Only players who are better than the current crop should be added. Introducing too many new players had its negative effects in our 2002 and 2014 campaigns. The team should also be a good mix of youth and experience as we hope to achieve a balanced transition in the team even beyond Russia 2018. The best players should be selected devoid of favoritism.
3. Quality pre-World Cup warm up games: We have started with an excellent one with Argentina and should continue in that line. Perhaps a top European and or Asian Opposition would not be bad for us in March, 2018. We propose camping in Russia where we expect high profile friendlies in the window leading to the World Cup
4. Instilment of high level of discipline in the team: This is to curb “over-confidence”, lack of team play by some players, segregation in the team and excessive celebrations both on and off the pitch: These kind of attitude had negative effects in our past world cup outings.
5. Updated FIFA rules must be understood by players and coaches to avoid naïve situations. A simple case in time is with our goalie – Daniel Akpeyi in our most recent friendly against Argentina. Also the same Argentina used it against us at the 1994 World Cup. Ie Cladio Caniggia and Diego Maradona. Also players taking off jerseys to display inscriptions should be kicked against.
6. Our players should learn to react to tackles in such a way as to influence the ref’s decisions in our favor. We have been victims of influenced or lack of influenced referee’s decisions in past world cups. Eg Onazi’s tackle against France in 2014 World Cup would have been a Red Card for Matuidi if the Nigerian players close to the action had reacted appropriately. Brahimi would have been sent off if Shehu had gone down after being head butted amongst others.
7. The technical bench should be fortified to world standard. The NFF should also engage the services of world class sports psychologist and physios

We believe so much in this Team. The NFF and the entire coaching crew are doing a Super Job with the Super Eagles. We can only hope for the Super Eagles to Fly above all expectations come Russia 2018.

Let's make one thing clear: Ezenwa in spite of all his flaws (and they are quite glaring) is better than Daniel Akpeyi. I have watched Akpeyi several times and he lack the most fundamental rudiments of goalkeeping. And this is before the howler against Argentina. Go back and watch Akpeyi in the friendly match against Senegal. Watch him in the AFCON qualifiers against South Africa. The man is a disaster waiting to happen.

Having said that, I don't think that either one of them (Ezenwa and Akpeyi) is good enough to take to Russia. So I will recommend getting rid of both of them especially since they are not getting any younger either. Francis Uzoho is the future. And I would strongly recommend that we take a risk on him. Don't get me wrong, he's a young goalkeeper and inexperienced so he's bound to make mistakes sooner or later but I would rather stick with him and let him learn through his mistakes. Hopefully he would keep getting playing time at his club.

I am really not a big believer in forcing Enyeama to come back. He has made his decision, let him live with it. Bringing him back is bound to cause recriminations and damage team spirit in the team, especially since he didn't participate in any of the qualifiers.

For the World Cup, let's go with: Uzoho, Alampasu (if there's no better home-based goalkeepers), and Emmanuel Daniels (or Ezenwa). And I totally agree with you that Alloy Agu has been useless in the team. But then so was Ike Shorunmi before him. One big mistake the NFF still makes is this stupid assumption that being a former goalkeeper automatically makes you a goalkeeper trainer! No, it doesn't work that way!!


O pari

Kog45:
I w rather pick Uzoho, Ezenwa was just one of the flaw of Alloy Agu just like Keshi forcing Agbim on us,just too glaring Ezenwa lacks it all,people keep on referring to his performance against Zambia and Cameroon just cos of Akpeyi howler against SA,nothing so unique about Ezenwa.

I believe Rohr should give all the keepers including Alampasu,Ajiboye level playing ground.I don't think Ezenwa is better than Ajiboye, honestly Alloy Agu is not helping the situation.

The foreign goalkeeper trainer doesn't know much but always act on Alloy recommendation and if care is not taken it w affect the team.

This is the time to put experience aside and test the abilities of the keepers.

Ezenwa i saw against Algeria w have been a disaster than Akpeyi against Argentina.

Good CHAN is coming up we will definitely see much of Ezenwa if Ajiboye did not displace him cos likely it w happen

Uzoho i saw against Girona and Argentina just need more international friendlies to prove his readiness.

I don't care about rookies going to the WC.At 2002 WC we went with two local rookies in Enyeama and Ejide,so I don't mind if Uzoho,Alampasu and Ajiboye makes it.

We have seen much of Akpeyi and Ezenwa drama they are not better than the trio just using experience to make the team and despite the experience they always committing school boys errors.

On Enyeama hope he regain his form back but I still hold my reservation cos is coming back should be based on Uzoho performance.

I was just about to say that .... Great minds think alike


O pari

safarigirl:
This is obviously old.

Nigeria had recorded 5 wins against European countries. Bosnia-Herzegovina being the 5th at the 2014 World Cup